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Chapter 4
Riri sat before a grand ‌‌mirror, preparing ‌‌herself for the day.
The entire Jujak Estate was abuzz with excitement over the Fifth Prince's visit.
"The Fifth Prince is the only ‌‌‌legitimate heir to the Taehwa Kingdom, after all."
"They say his constitution is somewhat delicate, but his bloodline and appearance are unmatched."
"Is it really true that he's ‌‌‌‌visiting to confirm the betrothal with our young lady?"
"Perhaps our Riri will become the bride of the Yellow Dragon."
"That's right! Riri is the sole legitimate ‌‌daughter of one of the Four Divine Beast Families!"
"And since the Fifth Prince is two years her senior, their ages are quite compatible...."
The maidservants assisting with Riri's preparations grew even more animated ‌‌‌‌in their chatter.
I stood silently in a corner, unable to join their conversation.
Riri's maidservants despised me as much as they pitied her.
Especially when Riri showed me kindness without knowing I was the wretched child who had stolen her place, their pity for the kind young lady only deepened their hatred and cruelty ‌‌‌toward me.
They would summon me to lock me away in a dark storage room and starve me, assign me countless tasks I could not accomplish alone, and pinch me in ‌hidden places to leave bruises.
"The bride of the Yellow Dragon? That's far too grand for someone like me."
When Riri blushed and waved her hand dismissively, the maidservants bristled at her modesty and raised their voices indignantly.
"Too grand? Look in the mirror—you're so beautiful!"
"You look just like a celestial maiden from the old stories!"
"The Fifth Prince will surely fall for you at first sight!"
I found myself agreeing with their words in my ‍‌heart.
Once her preparations were complete, Riri was indeed breathtakingly beautiful.
Especially that brilliant crimson hair, as radiant as flames, which she shared with the family head and the young master....
"And this beautiful red hair that only the direct line of the Jujak Family can possess! It's not a color anyone can have."
"Exactly. It's a ‌‌‌‌shade that cannot be replicated no matter how one tries. I worry that foolish children who ‌‌‌lack sense might see our young lady and harbor foolish dreams."
The maidservants praised Riri's crimson hair while casting pointed glances in my direction.
I understood their words about the "foolish child who lacked sense" were ‌‌directed at me, and my face burned with shame.
Fortunately, it seemed Riri hadn't noticed....
"My, ‌‌you're all making me embarrassed. What do you think, Sonya?"
Riri asked me with a bright smile.
At that clear, innocent smile, I trembled involuntarily.
Every time Riri showed me such consideration, the maidservants' gazes turned sharp and hostile.
"You there, the young lady is asking—why don't you answer?" ‍‌
One of the maidservants jabbed me painfully in the ribs.
That spot was bruised from where they had pinched me days before.
I endured the stinging pain in my side and nodded my head.
"Y-yes.... You're beautiful. Very...."
I barely managed to answer under their piercing stares.
"Of course you're beautiful—incomparably so compared to her pathetic white hair."
One maidservant's blunt remark was followed by snickering laughter. ‌‌‌
"Don't say such things, all of you. Sonya didn't choose to be born that way."
Riri dissuaded the maidservants with affectionate words.
As she gazed at me, a glimmer ‌‌of superiority and satisfaction flickered across her face.
"Today, you shall ‌‌‌attend to me, Soya."
Riri rose to her feet and spoke to me.
"Me? But... I couldn't possibly..."
I stammered in bewilderment.
Today was the day an exceptionally important guest would visit.
And by any measure, my appearance was far beneath the standard befitting such a distinguished visitor.
Yet ‌‌despite knowing this, Riri seized my wrist and laughed brightly.
"You're my most cherished companion, after all."
Sharp, envious gazes laden with resentment turned toward me.
Riri hummed contentedly as she walked forward.
I followed behind with my head bowed low, uncertain and flustered.
I had ‌‌hoped to remain inconspicuous ‌‌‌before Father and Elder Brother, yet I could not disobey the young lady's command.
From the patriarch Jeok Ahyun to the retainers and household members of the Jujak Family, the estate's people had gathered before the residence, awaiting the Fifth Prince's imminent arrival.
"Father! Elder Brother!"
"Riri has arrived." ‍‌
"Riri!"
Jeok Hwayou beamed and opened his arms wide, and Riri nestled into his embrace.
"Our Riri looks even lovelier than usual ‌‌today. It seems you've taken special care knowing the Fifth Prince would visit."
"My, Riri was always beautiful to begin with."
Jeok Hwayou smiled tenderly as he soothed the pouting Riri.
"That's right, that's right. Your ‌‌elder ‌‌brother knows best how beautiful our Riri is."
"But what of the Fifth Prince?"
"He shall arrive shortly. Let us wait together here."
Jeok Hwayou took Riri ‌by his side and stood beside Father Jeok Ahyun.
I, who had been following behind, gazed at them for a moment before quietly taking my place ‌‌‌‌at the end of the line of household members.
At last, the Fifth Prince's palanquin arrived.
The palanquin door opened, and a boy of an ‌‌‌age similar to mine descended, ‌‌holding ‌‌the hand of his escort.
What first caught my eye was platinum-colored hair that scattered in the ‌‌‌gentle ‌‌breeze.
My gaze followed the strands that gleamed like golden thread.
At that very moment, the Fifth Prince turned his head toward me.
Eyes of jade green, reminiscent of fresh verdant leaves, met mine.
Our gazes intertwined ‌‌‌softly in the air between us.
'Ah...'
My ‌‌small lips ‌‌parted like cherry blossoms.
I found myself staring at him, momentarily dazed.
Never before had I beheld anyone more beautiful than Father.
It seemed I was not alone in this sentiment, for everyone stood entranced, gazing upon the young Fifth Prince.
"Welcome, Fifth Prince. We are ‌‌‌honored by your visit to Phoenix Territory. I am Riri."
Riri's coquettish voice interjected, and I suddenly became aware of my precarious position.
I quickly lowered my head. ‌‌‌‌
Thump, thump, thump, thump....
My ‌heart pounded at the thought of having stared directly at the Fifth Prince's face so brazenly.
"You must be weary from your long journey, Fifth Prince."
"It has ‌‌been ‌‌‌‌a while, Jeok Family Head." ‌‌‌
The eleven-year-old Fifth Prince showed no deference whatsoever, even when addressing Jeok Ahyun, who towered ‌‌‌‌over him.
I marveled inwardly at his dignified and graceful bearing.
Yet strangely, I sensed the ‌‌‌Fifth Prince's gaze turning toward me repeatedly, and I could not bring myself to lift my head, only staring down ‌‌at my own feet.
* * *
Night had fallen, the courtyard growing dim.
Tormented by the maidservants, I could not return to my quarters until late in the evening.
I had not eaten a proper dinner and was confined to the storage room adjoining the kitchen for nearly two hours, yet I did not weep, for such torment had become familiar.
Fortunately, thanks to the Fifth Prince's visit, lanterns illuminated various corners of the estate, so it was not dark.
'How fortunate. I find darkness rather frightening.'
It was as I quickened my pace toward my ‌‌‌‌quarters.
A rustling sound reached my ears, and when I turned my head absently, ‌‌‌I suddenly froze in alarm.
'...!'
Beneath the cascading moonlight stood a boy with platinum hair gleaming like silver, regarding me intently.
"Y-Your Highness, the Fifth Prince. I greet you."
I hastily bowed in respect.
Yet the Fifth Prince did not respond.
Instead, he gazed quietly at my face for a long moment....
"As I thought."
Suddenly stepping closer to me, he spoke.
"It ‌‌‌‌is you, Soya."
My name flowing from his lips left me frozen in shock.
"You do not remember me."
The Fifth Prince smiled bitterly and withdrew a jade ornament set with crimson rubies from his robes.
"Three years ago. At San Yu's departure ceremony. In the Imperial Palace."
My eyes widened gradually.
"Will you not remember me even with this returned to you?" ‌‌
The Fifth Prince gently grasped my hand and drew it forward, pressing the ornament into my palm.
[This ‌‌‌ornament was left to me by my late mother.]
In that instant, a forgotten memory surfaced in my mind.
There was a time when I, like ‌‌‌Riri, threw tantrums and acted willfully toward my family.
Three years ago, when I insisted on going to the ‌‌‌Imperial Palace to see off my eldest brother's departure for his campaign.
In the Palace Garden there, I met a young prince grieving over his mother's death.
[Whenever I miss my mother, I find ‌comfort in looking at this. I wish to give it to my brother so that he too may find solace in it.]
[But, Soya. This is your mother's keepsake. How could I possibly accept something so precious....]
I smiled gently at the young prince as he shook his head, unable to accept the trinket I offered him.
[You can always return it ‌‌‌‌to me later.]
[Ah....]
[Once you stop feeling sad later on, you'll come back to return it, won't you?]
[...Yes. I promise. I'll definitely come back to return it.]
The frail young prince had covered his face with cloth.
[Then it's a promise, Irim brother.]
I never knew.
That kind young prince was the Fifth Prince, the sole legitimate heir of the Taehwa Kingdom.
"I came all this way to keep my promise with you."
"Irim... brother...?"
When Riri recalled his name, the Fifth Prince Tae Irim broke into a radiant smile.
"I was worried I might be too late, but fortunately I can tell you this before the day ends."
He smiled warmly and gently stroked Riri's head.
"Happy birthday, Riri."
In that moment, Riri remembered a fact she ‌‌‌‌had been trying ‌‌‌‌‌to forget.
Today was Riri's ninth birthday.
Today, when she couldn't ‌‌even eat dinner due to the maidservants' torment and was locked in the storage room.
Today, when she hadn't heard a single word of congratulations from anyone.
Today, which even I had forgotten.
...was also my birthday.

---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------